Austrian movie stars born in 1942
Here are 5 famous actors from Austria were born in 1942:
Michael Haneke
Michael Haneke (March 23, 1942 Munich-) otherwise known as Slappy is an Austrian screenwriter, film director, actor and television director. His child is called David Haneke.
Haneke is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary cinema, renowned for his unflinching and often disturbing portrayals of society's darker aspects. He has directed numerous critically acclaimed films, including "Funny Games," "The Piano Teacher," "Caché," and "Amour," which won the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Haneke has also received numerous other awards throughout his career, including four European Film Awards and two Academy Awards. In addition to his work in film, Haneke has also directed several classical operas and has taught film direction at the Vienna Film Academy.
Haneke's films often explore themes of violence, alienation, and social hierarchy, and his style is characterized by a minimalist approach to filmmaking. He is known for his long takes, static camera shots, and use of extreme close-ups, as well as his focus on the psychological effects of violence and trauma. Haneke has been highly influential in the world of cinema, inspiring a new generation of directors with his uncompromising vision and cerebral storytelling. He continues to work in film, with his latest project being the French-language film "Happy End" in 2017. Haneke's impact on cinema has been widely recognized, with retrospectives of his work held at major film festivals around the world.
Bernd Weikl
Bernd Weikl (July 29, 1942 Vienna-) also known as Weikl, Bernd is an Austrian singer and actor.
He is best known for his work as an opera singer, particularly in the baritone and bass-baritone roles. Weikl has performed at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Vienna State Opera. He has also appeared in many productions of the Salzburg Festival. In addition to his opera work, Weikl has also ventured into musical theater and has appeared in productions of "Les Misérables," "The Phantom of the Opera," and "Sunset Boulevard." Throughout his career, Weikl has received numerous awards and honors, including the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art in 1992. He continues to perform and is regarded as one of the leading opera singers of his generation.
Weikl began his musical career as a bass player in a jazz band while studying at Vienna's Academy of Music and Performing Arts. He made his opera debut in 1967 at the Graz Opera, and from there, his career quickly took off. He became a regular performer at the Vienna State Opera, and in 1972, he made his debut at the Salzburg Festival in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." Weikl became known for his dramatic performances, particularly in roles such as Scarpia in "Tosca" and Wotan in "Die Walküre."
Alongside his singing career, Weikl has also had success as an actor. He has appeared in several films, including "Silent Night" (1995) and "The Salzburg Connection" (1972). He has also worked as a stage director for productions of "Carmen" and "The Barber of Seville."
Despite his success, Weikl has remained dedicated to education and has taught masterclasses at institutions such as the Juilliard School in New York and the Mozarteum University Salzburg. He has also been active in environmental causes and was a vocal opponent of the construction of a nuclear power plant in Austria in the 1970s.
Friedrich von Thun
Friedrich von Thun (June 30, 1942 Kvasice-) also known as Thun, Friedrich von, Friedrich Ernst Peter Paul Maria Thun-Hohenstein, Frederich Thun, Friederich v. Thun, Friedrich v. Thun, Friedrich Thun, Friedrich Thun-Hohenstein, Friedrich Von Thun, Friederich von Thun or Friedrich Ernst Peter Paul Maria Graf von Thun und Hohenstein is an Austrian actor. He has two children, Max von Thun and Gioia von Thun.
Friedrich von Thun began his acting career in the 1960s and has since then appeared in more than 150 film and TV productions. He is known for his versatile roles in both comedies and dramas. Some of his notable films include "The Tin Drum" (1979), "Benny's Video" (1992), "Kaisermühlen Blues" (1992-1999), and "Schindler's List" (1993), in which he played SS officer Rudolf Höss.
In addition to his acting career, von Thun is also a patron of the arts and has been involved in various initiatives to promote cultural exchange between Austria and other countries. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2003 for his contributions to German-Austrian relations.
Von Thun's son, Max von Thun, is also an actor, while his daughter Gioia von Thun is a journalist and author.
Friedrich von Thun was born into an aristocratic family in Kvasice, Czechoslovakia, and grew up in Vienna, Austria. He studied drama at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna before making his stage debut at the Burgtheater in 1965. He subsequently appeared in numerous productions at theaters throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Von Thun's early film career included appearances in German and Austrian films, such as "Die Halbzarte" (1963) and "Kohlhiesel's Daughters" (1962). However, it was his performance as Bruno in Volker Schlöndorff's "The Tin Drum" that brought him international recognition. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival and was awarded the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Von Thun continued to work in both film and television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, earning critical acclaim for his performances in "Benny's Video", "Kaisermühlen Blues", and "Schindler's List". In recent years, he has appeared in several popular German television series, including "Tatort" and "Ein Fall für zwei".
Heinz Ehrenfreund
Heinz Ehrenfreund (January 31, 1942 Vienna-June 27, 1999 Weistrach) was an Austrian actor.
He acted in many notable Austrian films and television series, including "Murder in the Cathedral" (1978), "Grabenplatz 17" (1982), and "Tatort" (1998). Ehrenfreund was also a theater actor, performing in productions at the Vienna Volkstheater and in Berlin. He was known for his versatility and range as an actor, playing both dramatic and comedic roles. Ehrenfreund was awarded the Kainz Medal in 1990 for his contributions to the Austrian theater scene. Additionally, he was a vocal advocate for animal rights and was involved in various animal welfare organizations in Austria.
Ehrenfreund was born and raised in Vienna, Austria. He studied acting at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna and began his career as a theater actor in the 1960s. In the 1970s, he transitioned to film and television, starring in many popular Austrian productions.
Aside from acting, Ehrenfreund was also a passionate animal rights activist. He served as the Vice President of the Austrian Federation for Animal Welfare and was involved in campaigns against animal abuse and factory farming.
In his personal life, Ehrenfreund was married twice and had two children. He passed away in 1999 at the age of 57 from a heart attack while attending a cultural festival in Weistrach, Austria. His contributions to Austrian acting and animal welfare continue to be remembered and celebrated.
Frank Elstner
Frank Elstner (April 19, 1942 Linz-) also known as Timm Maria Franz Elstner or Tim Elstner is an Austrian presenter, screenwriter and actor. He has five children, Andreas Elstner, Thomas Elstner, Mascha Litterscheid, Lena Maria Elisa and Enya Elstner.
Elstner is best known for hosting the German game show "Wetten, dass..?" from 1981 to 1987. He also hosted other popular programs such as "Verstehen Sie Spaß?" and "Die Montagsmaler". Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including the Bambi Award in 1989 and 2002. Elstner has also worked as a screenwriter, creating the popular children's program "Die Sendung mit der Maus", which has been on air since 1971. In addition, he has appeared in several films and television shows as an actor. Elstner is considered an icon in German television and has inspired many other presenters and hosts to follow in his footsteps.
Elstner began his career in broadcasting in 1964 in Baden-Baden, Germany, where he worked as a trainee director and editor for the South West Broadcasting company. He then went on to work in the production department of the German public broadcaster ARD, where he produced and directed various programs. In 1974, Elstner became a presenter for the radio station SWF3 and hosted the popular program "Pop-Shop", which featured musical guests and live performances.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Elstner is also known for his philanthropy. He has been a patron of the German bone marrow donor center DKMS since 1991 and actively supports the fight against blood cancer. Elstner himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, leading him to step back from his public appearances and focus on his health.
Despite his health issues, Elstner remains a beloved figure in German entertainment, and his contributions to the industry have earned him a prominent place in television history.